Transparent LCD Side Panel mATX Build #MicroCenterMadness
by Nicholas G Posted on: 3/23/2021
Build Description
Around 3 years ago, I started planning a build to replace my aging i5-3570K PC. I wanted something unique - something that couldn't be simply purchased off the shelf. RGB was just getting big, so I went against the RGB trend and started looking into other ways to make my build stand out. Eventually, I was led to research transparent LCD side panel mods.
2 years ago I put together the initial PC. I picked up a Ryzen 7 1700x for $150 as a placeholder for Ryzen 3000 for this build. That release came, and to my surprise AMD was still lagging behind Intel in gaming performance. But with Ryzen 5000, that's a different story! The Ryzen 5 5600X is a beast, with huge uplifts in single core performance compared to my old 1700X. Heck, it even beats it in multi core.
You can find a full build log here, which includes more pictures and even videos of it in action: https://forum.level1techs.com/t/time-for-my-second-build-a-project-lcd-case-v2-v3/135450/
2 years ago I put together the initial PC. I picked up a Ryzen 7 1700x for $150 as a placeholder for Ryzen 3000 for this build. That release came, and to my surprise AMD was still lagging behind Intel in gaming performance. But with Ryzen 5000, that's a different story! The Ryzen 5 5600X is a beast, with huge uplifts in single core performance compared to my old 1700X. Heck, it even beats it in multi core.
You can find a full build log here, which includes more pictures and even videos of it in action: https://forum.level1techs.com/t/time-for-my-second-build-a-project-lcd-case-v2-v3/135450/
Favorite Feature
Well obviously, the side panel.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Vermeer 3.7GHz 6-Core AM4 Boxed Processor with Wraith Stealth Cooler
Qty: 1
$317.99
Gotta love microcenter for having these in stock last year
MSI B450M MORTAR TITANIUM Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
Qty: 1
$97.97
The last white motherboard intended for the US market :c . Carryover from my old 1700X build.
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card
Qty: 1
$512.86
I was going to upgrade to a RTX 3080 Vision...You can guess what happened to that plan.
TeamGroup T-FORCE Delta RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 PC4-25600 CL16 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit TF4D416G3200HC - White
Qty: 1
$91.75
I have two of the 3000mhz kits but it's basically the same stuff
TeamGroup T-FORCE Delta RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 PC4-25600 CL16 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit TF4D416G3200HC - White
Qty: 1
$91.75
Fractal Design Define Mini C TG MicroATX Mid Tower Case
Qty: 1
$65.53
Smaller than ATX, more versatile that mITX, but still compact! Awesome layout and build quailty, and has a clear TG side panel for the side panel LCD mod.
Seasonic USA FOCUS GX-750, 750W 80+ Gold, Full-Modular, Fan Control in Fanless, Silent, and Cooling Mode, 10 Year Warranty, Perfect Power Supply for Gaming and Various Application, SSR-750FX.
Qty: 1
$75.04
Technically I got the FOCUS+ Gold 750w before all the tariffs shot PSU prices to the moon. Works like a champ.
Noctua NH-D15S CPU Cooler
Qty: 1
$60.15
Added the chromax white covers and noctua was happy to send me white anti-vibration pads for the fan since I didn't want a black chromax fan. This is an absolute unit and I love it.
Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD 3-bit MLC V-NAND SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive
Qty: 1
$103.02
Carryover from my old build. Works great.
Crucial MX300 750 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Qty: 1
$107.75
Carryover from my old OLD build. Still works great.
Mushkin Pilot-E 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
Qty: 1
$200.33
Was cheap, had good TLC flash, and has a DRAM buffer.